Gallstones
Gallstones are a very common problem especially amongst obese people. This primarily happens when cholesterol levels are very high or when fatty deposits are higher than prescribed levels. The acids contained in the bile keep the cholesterol in suspended form. However, when the cholesterol reaches peak proportions the bile fails to fragment this cholesterol and it begins to form lumps and stones inside. These are known as gall stones.
Current statistics for Gallstones
It has been estimated that almost 25% of all obese people suffer from gall stones. In fact the condition can be so severe that it often necessitates a surgical procedure. Obesity is also usually characterized by a high level of cholesterol in the bloodstream. This further aggravates the problem of gall stones.
Latest research has revealed that women are more susceptible to gall stone attacks when compared to men. Also when excess fat gets accumulated around the mid section of the body it makes a person more prone to gall stone attacks. In fact, the more the weight the higher is the risk of getting gall stones.
Rapid weight loss and gallstones
Most people who are obese think that an accelerated weight loss program will help them stay clear of gall stones. However, the fact is that quickly losing weight could trigger a gall stone attack. Therefore, while choosing any weight loss program make sure the goals are realistic and are not geared at abnormal weight decrease. So if you are planning to lose over 3 pounds each week then your normal gall stones could get symptomatic.
Symptoms of Gallstones
The common symptoms of any gall stone attack typically starts with an acute pain over the upper abdomen. This pain can prolong for as much as 30 minutes to even several hours. For some people the pain could be towards the right shoulder and is accompanied by vomiting and nausea. If you have eaten fatty food like a rich dessert or fried food then indigestion could lead to gall bladder inflammation.
Larger BMI = more risk
If you have a BMI of over 30 then you are most likely to get a gall stone attack. If you are a woman then you are three times more susceptible, especially if your BMI is above 32. The high levels of obesity often lead to an increased accumulation of cholesterol in your gall bladder. The acids in the bile can no longer dissolve this excess cholesterol. This extra amount then gets deposited in the form of stones. It could also be that your gall bladder is larger than normal and hence is unable to empty itself completely or normally.
Low calorie diets
Consumption of extremely low calorie foods might trigger a fast weight loss but it will increase the risk of gall stones. It has been found as per research that close to 10-25% of people on a low calorie diet have developed gall stones. However, these were non-symptomatic as they did not display any symptoms.